Delivery of HIV risk-reduction services in drug treatment programs

This study examined services received for HIV risk reduction among individuals in drug treatment. Analyses were conducted using data from 4,412 participants in the national Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Study (DATOS), a prospective multisite study of drug treatment effectiveness. A higher percentage of individuals in long-term residential programs received HIV-related services, compared with clients in short-term inpatient, methadone maintenance, and outpatient drug-free programs. More men than women, and individuals at higher sex-risk as compared with those at lower sex-risk, received HIV services. Logistic regression analyses indicated that individuals who engaged in sex work had a higher likelihood than those who did not, of receiving HIV-related services, although individuals with high-risk or multiple sexual partners were no more likely than others to receive HIV services. More comprehensive service delivery is needed in order to reduce the risk for HIV among clients in drug treatment.